Phytolith analysis from Los Loros profile, El Palmar Formation (Upper Pleis-tocene) in El Palmar National Park, Entre Ríos, Argentina

Acta geológica lilloana 26 (1): 53–62, 2014

Abstract

In the paper the phytolith assem-blages of El Palmar Formation (Upper Pleistocene) in Los Loros profile were described, locat-ed in the El Palmar National Park, Entre Ríos, Argentina. The sedimentary samples was ob-tained following the stratigraphy of profile, were processed by conventional methodology for ob-taining the siliceous microremains adjusting the same for processing samples of fluvial origin.The phytolith assemblages were defined by the presence of non-diagnostic phytolith types, forexample elongated, fan shaped, polyhedral, point shaped of Poaceae affinity, as well as bilo-bate of panicoid type, globulars of arecoids affinity mainly of type spiny spherical surface, ac-companied by truncated cones to the Danthonioideae affinity, low presence of oblong andcrenate type of pooids affinity, and those derived from the conduction tissue. Moreover, thespicules of sponges, chrysostomatacea estomatocysts and diatoms were present in most ofthese associations. Regarding the degree of conservation of the morphotypes showed twoclearly differentiated populations. The larger phytoliths had worn and porous surface andtransportation signs, and another in which the smaller phytoliths showed no such signs. Therecord describes a warm and humid paleoflora for this sedimentary sequence.